JUDICIAL REFORM
The Brooklyn Democratic Party endorses judges across the borough, including civil court, surrogate court, supreme court judges and more. We are dedicated to cultivating a more diverse and culturally competent slate of judges that serve the diverse needs of all Brooklynites fairly and impartially.
Most recently, in February, the Brooklyn Democratic Party endorsed Dweynie Esther Paul for Kings County Surrogates Court Judge, and Sharon Hudson, Inga Oneale, Esq., and Heela D. Capell for Kings County Civil Court Judges.
“We are dedicated to cultivating a more diverse and culturally competent slate of justices that serve the myriad needs of all Brooklynites fairly and impartially,” says Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party. “We’re pleased to promote these candidates who follow a progressive approach to justice and have the judicial experience and expertise to serve constituents’ through the pandemic and beyond.”
“Judge Dweynie Esther Paul, Judge Sharon Hudson, Heela D. Capell and Inga Oneale, Esq. also have a proven track records of progressive judicial achievement, and have continued to help bring fairness and impartiality to the courts, despite the challenges of the pandemic,” says Bichotte Hermelyn.
Read about the judicial selection process below.
Voters choose delegates to a nominating convention who then pick judges.
The executive committee makes endorsements for judges during executive committee meetings.
The candidates up for endorsement are picked based on careful screening by The Judicial Screening Committee of the Brooklyn Democratic Party. The screening committee is dedicated to upholding judicial reform through a transparent and prudent selection process.
The main 6 criteria for evaluating judicial candidates are:
- Judicial demeanor and temperament
- Scholarship and knowledge of law
- Industriousness and diligence
- Experience
- Integrity
- Fairness